Hey everyone. I’ve wound back the clock today as I’m using my old computer, which I used to write all my old group messages from my Original Series. My new one is away in the ‘hospital’ thus my reason for not getting back to you all after Wednesday’s appointment in Ottawa.
So I have just checked my messages for the first time in many days, and I’ll hopefully make my way through reading them later today and tomorrow. It’s much easier to keep on top of the email when I’m reading it everyday, as opposed to not at all for 3 days. So please hang tough as my responses may be cut down.
My Dad and I fortunately managed to get home on Wednesday night, after leaving very early that morning for Ottawa, which made for a long day but it was great to get home to my bed. I then spent much of yesterday playing with our Government to finish a process I started earlier this week in hopes of receiving some financial support for my drug and travel costs. Unfortunately I have been turned down for assistance, which is another Challenge we’ll tackle over the next little while.
I had my 3rd Hickman put in this morning and while my chest is very sore, and I’m quite tired, I’m comfortable and happy to be at home resting and preparing to leave for Ottawa next week.
Remember the “gut” feeling I was looking for throughout my decision process?
That gut feeling came through very clearly after my meeting with my Doc on Ottawa. In-sink, relaxed, calm, peace, harmony, all those words describe my feelings about my visit to the hospital and meeting with the Doc. He is a very nice man, open minded, and I would say quite innovative, which suits my mind very well. We had about 1 1/2 hours with him and a nurse and it was time well spent and the trip was an important step which has helped me gain the comfort I have wanted. The hospital in Ottawa isn’t quite as nice visually as in Toronto, but the people were great and I am confident I’ll really enjoy my time there.
Ottawa’s approach is quite different than that which I am used to at Princess Margaret in Toronto, as I will be an Out-Patient (out of hospital) for as much of this process as I can. It is their intent to keep me out of hospital unless I am sick and need to be in. Very different than the “lock down” approach that is taken in Toronto. The Doc also talked about the distinct possibility of me coming home earlier than I expected, as he feels if I am stable and nothing is happening there is no need for me to be in Ottawa waiting for something to happen. He looks in periods of 30 days, and the initial focus will be getting my Dad’s stem cells in me and getting them working. And the best part is the words he used to describe their approach – “we’ll adjust strategy everyday as needed”.
That day-to-day mind-set sits quite well with me, as you know I’ve made considerable effort to maintain the same approach. Another very Positive component of the Ottawa approach is the responsibility of the Patient, as they require their Patient’s to assume a greater level of responsibility which sits very well with me.
I can say that everything that has come from Wednesday’s meeting is resting very comfortably inside me and that it is helping me with the clarity of this moment and the many I have in front of me. Very calm inside me right now.
That’s a brief update from the past few days, and I’ll be back again soon, as my computer allows. Hope you have a great weekend.
Always…
Live life. Love life.
Geoff
